This is a great summer time run because the air is really hot and the water is super cool.

Permit:

None presently required

Character/Similar To:

Fun pool drop ledges, the closer you get to the take out the narrower they become. Clear cold blue water in forested canyon.

Hazards:

Natural Bridge Rapid and Knob "Therapy" Falls

Water Craft:

kayak,wwcan

Land Ownership:

Forest

Wilderness:

Yes

Location:

In the Pacific Region (OR), Southeast of Salem

Area Name:

Pacific West

Shuttle Logistics:

Take Out: From Medford take Oregon 62 east towards Prospect. About 6 miles beyond Prospect turn left onto NF 68 and follow the sign to Woodruff Campground. The take out is just below the bridge over the river.

Put In: From the take out return to Oregon 62 and turn left. In a few miles you will see signs for the Natural Bridge Park. Follow the signs to the parking area. Put in below the natural bridge by seal-launching 15 feet off the ledge into the water.

Natural Bridge on the Rogue River

The Natural Bridge section of the North Fork Rogue is one of the best summer time runs in Oregon. This stretch is a great way to cool down on a hot summer day. Upon arriving at the put in hike just a short distance upstream and look at the natural bridge, were the entire river disappears under ground.

This run starts off very exciting with a 15 ft seal launch just under the foot bridge, make sure and wave at the tourists walking above. Just after the seal launch is a good warm up consisting of some fun sloping ledges with short pools in between. Expect drops like these throughout the entire run.

Karma is the first significant rapid of the run. Always scout Karma because it often contains wood and it is very long. The first half of Karma consists of a shallow boulder garden that could easily pin a boat. At the bottom of the boulder garden there are a few short ledge drops that contain sticky holes at some levels. Below the ledges is another 8 foot sloping ledge with a large hydraulic.

After Karma the action slows down, expect a few short class III drops until the river takes a sharp right hand turn. Be cautious in this area because there is class V Therapy Falls just around the corner. Look for a portage trail on river left. Once around the falls seal launch 10 feet into the water below.

Below Therapy Falls the gradient increases and creates some fun narrow ledge drops. Some of the drops are only a few feet wide so scout them for wood. When the take out bridge at Woodruff is visible expect one last 6 foot ledge drop. Run the drop to the right of the island, this is a great way to end the run.

For a longer day continue downstream and run the Takilma Gorge section.